STP 2011

Well that's it. I made it to Portland via bicycle yet again.

I've just completed my 4th Seattle To Portland bicycle ride, a 210 miles trek all in one day. This morning I am sitting at Crema Coffee + Bakery in Portland, enjoying an iced Americano and chocolate croissant, thinking about yesterday's accomplishments and mishaps. This time around I had Charles accompanying me, the husband of one of my beloved co-workers. He is a solid guy and a solid rider, though he was nervous never having ridden this far in one day before.

My alarm went off at 3:55 am yesterday morning, though I was already awake staring at the ceiling. I never get good rest the night before a major event, which makes getting up in the morning the hardest thing. Once you get up all you have to do is either start running or biking. If you can just get up the rest is cake.

I was on my bike by 4:25am, a stomach full of an Odwalla shake and Cliff Bar. A few miles to the start line, where I dropped my bag off, and then the ride began. I was meeting Charles at Seward Park since he was coming over from Beacon Hill. Around 5am, we connected and off we went.

The early sections of the rode ar eso full of riders since you are all starting around the same time more of less. Eventually all 2,500 of the One Day Riders get stretched out, making the roads clearer and less crowded. After a handful of riders, the jitters in your stomach have left and you are just enjoying the road, the endless colors of bike jerseys, and the people.

You eat, you drink, you joke around, you ride....all day.

We were making great time all day, jumping from pace line to pace line. Around mile 140, just 1 mile from a Rest Stop, Charles got a flat. Not a big deal or anything, but it is an interruption. Charles patched up his wheel just fine and we got to the bike mechanic to fully inflate the tire. No more than 5 minutes behind schedule now.

Bam, rattle. rattle. rattle. A spoke on my front wheel just broke and my wheel is caving in. I let out a curse. I was the pace setter, the one in front of a group of riders in a pace line. I move to the right, closer to the shoulder, as the rider behind me pulls up saying "busted spoke?" "Yep"
I yell at Charles as he passes, hoping he heard what I said as I have to stop my bike.

In a situation with a busted spoke on a ride such as this, there really are only a few options for you. 1. Ride is over. 2. Swap out the wheel. I choose number 2. The next rest area was only a few miles ahead and if I took it easy, very easy, I hoped my wheel would hold up until I got there. It was already bending in, so I knew I didn't have much time. I didn't really have many other options though.

I slowly made my way to the Lexington Food Stop at mile 160(?) the final Food Stop for STP. The bike mechanic explained to me the options and I bought a new wheel for $60 (a steal actually). Ride saved!

From Lexington, we have to ride through Kelso-Longview and over the Longview Bridge into Oregon. I love crossing that bridge because it is wonderful incline and the downhill is exhilarating. And that is about it for the ride.

We rode into Portland feeling great, despite a sore ass, sore neck and back muscles, and a slight sunburn. Charles popped a wheelie as he rode across the finish line, with the crowd cheering him on.

What a great ride.